Fish Packaging in Benin, Edo State and Koko, Delta State
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Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 5(12): 189-195, 2011 ISSN 1991-8178 Fish Packaging In Benin, Edo State and Koko, Delta State DR. Abolagba, O.J. and Akise, O.G. Deparment of Fisheries Faculty of Agriculture University of Benin Benin City, Nigeria. Abstract: The study examined fish packaging operation in two local government areas of Ekenwan in Edo State and Koko in Delta State, Nigeria. The information was collected with a well structured questionnaire. A total of one hundred and sixty (160) questionnaires were distributed equally in two markets of the study areas. The data obtained from the study was analyzed by descriptive statistics. Results obtained revealed that majority of the fish processors within the study areas were married women who were not educated beyond the first leaving school Certificate. The major type of packaging containers used in the areas were baskets, paper carton, jute-bags and palm rope used in tying staked fish. However it was observed that due to the high cost of packaging materials and equipment, processors do not use good fish packaging materials to package their products leading to high spoilage in fish and also poor economic growth and standard of living. As such Packaging equipment and materials such as paper carton should be improved upon. Both the public and private sector should provide effective services that benefit fishermen, processors, wholesalers, retailers, organizations and other key participants that operate in the system. Key words: Packaging, Ekenwan, Koko, Fishermen, Processors. INTRODUCTION Packaging is the science, art and technology of enclosing or protecting products for distribution, storage, sale, and use. Packaging also refers to the process of design, evaluation, and production of packages. Packaging can be described as a coordinated system of preparing goods for transport, warehousing, logistics, sale, and end use (Soroka, 2002). Packaging is used to transport fresh fish (and ice) or smoked fish in single or multi-stage journeys from the processor directly to the retailer or via wholesale market (Data sheet 1996). Packaging of processed fish is important as it facilitates handling during storage and distribution within the marketing chain. A little carelessness can cause damage and wastage (Agro products 2008). Therefore, packaging was found to have an effect on the storage life of the smoked products irrespective of the mode of storage (Akande et al., 2005). Also, packaging of fish products should ensure attractive presentation among other food products without contaminating them (Bokawski and Dutkiesicz, 1996). Packaging is a very important marketing strategy to glamorize products in order to attract the consumer’s attention. Sometimes packaging is so important that it cost more than the product itself in order to lure the consumers to buy it (David, 2007; Eyo 2001) recommended the packaging of dried fish in clean good-quality sacks lined with polythene or thick brown paper to slow the rates of immigration of Dermestid beetle and prevent cross infestation in storage. Other containers used in artisanal fishery as reported by Essuman and West (1990) include hard/rigid Crates (e.g. baskets, cartons, head pans, glass boxes, sacks) and Soft wrappers (e.g. brown paper, stationery, newsprint, raffle coupons, leaves, polythene bags). Before the creation of pure packaging materials people used many of the natural things to make a basket for packaging to protect products from contamination, from environmental damage, from theft or from any other damage. The packaging material depends on what type of product you are going to send to your customer (Articlesbase 2009). Three major materials are used at the wholesale level namely: paper cartons, sacks and cane baskets The basic tool in the handling storage and transportation of fish from the landing sites to the consumers are packaging containers. Processed fish that are not properly packaged are attacked or damaged by microbes and enzymatic activities. This has led to lack of quality fish production and poor marketing. Hence, it is as a result of the mentioned facts that this study was embarked upon to investigate and document the various fish packaging methods practiced, packaging processes and materials used and evaluate cost of packaging materials in Benin, Edo State and Koko in Delta State. MATERIALS AND METHODS Description of Study Area: The study covered two major fish markets in two Local Government Areas of Benin, Edo state and Koko in Delta state, Nigeria. The Ekenwan market serve as one of the major fish markets in the area and for some fishing camps around the Ovia North- East Local Government Area. The Ekenwan village is about 40km form Corresponding Author: Abolagba, Deparment of Fisheries Faculty of Agriculture University of Benin Benin City, Nigeria. 189 Aust. J. Basic & Appl. Sci., 5(12): 189-195, 2011 Benin City. While the KoKo fish market is located in Koko town, southern Nigeria It lies along the Benin River, in the Western Niger River Delta. The town still serves as an agricultural trade centre for the Itsekiri people. It lies approximately between latitude 6000’N and longitude 5027’E with a population figure of 19,999 (Encarta, 2009). Sample Size: A total of one hundred and sixty (160) questionnaires were distributed in two markets of the two Local Government Areas (LGA). These questionnaires were distributed equally among the two markets of the two Local Government Areas i.e. 80 questionnaires to each of the markets. Method of Analysis: The data obtained was analyzed by simple descriptive statistical method. The computer package was the (SPSS). Statistical tests were carried out using chi-square, tables, bar-charts. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Age Distribution In Koko and Ekenwan: The age distribution of the fish processors in Koko showed that majority of them fall within the age group of 40-49 years, followed by those older than 50 years representing 31.7% and 24.4% respectively. The age group of 20-29years, 30-39 years and the youth of age group below 20 years which represented 22-0%, 19.5% and 2.4% respectively are as shown in table 1. The age distribution of the fish processors in Ekenwan showed that majority of them fall within the age group of 30-39years, followed by the age group of 20-29years and 40-49years. These represents 30.0%, 26.3% and 26.3% respectively. The advanced and youth age group of >50years and <20 years have low percentages of 15.0% and 2.5% respectively. (See table 1). Sex Distribution In Koko and Ekenwan: Analysis showed that in Koko 71.7% were females and 28.9% were males; while in Ekenwan 67.1% were females and 32.9% were males (see table 1). Marital Status In Koko and Ekenwan: The study showed that in Koko 70.7% of the processors were married, followed by 24.4% single, while 2.4% were widows and divorced respectively. Data from Ekenwan showed that 70.1% of the fish processors were married, followed by 19.5% single, while 7.8% were widows and 2.6% divorced as indicated in table 1. Level of Education In Both Koko and Ekenwan: The data in table 1 showed that 38.5% and 45.3% of fish processors in Koko and Ekenwan had secondary education respectively. 25.6% and 32.0% of them had full primary education respectively; while 17.9% and 5.3% of them (Koko and Ekenwan respectively) had tertiary education. The remaining 15.4% and 17.3% of the respondents in Koko and Ekenwan respectively had no formal education. Religion of Fish Processors In Koko and Ekenwan: The analysis of the result revealed that most of the processors in Koko were Christians with 89.7%, followed by Islamic faith with 7.7% and traditional adherents with 2.7%. In Ekenwan majority of them were also Christians with 84.8% and traditionalist (10.1%), followed by pagans with 5.1% as shown in table 1. Method of Packaging Fish To Market In Koko and Ekenwan: Table 2 showed that in Koko majority of the fish processors use baskets (81.6%), followed by Jute-bags (13.2%) and Palm rope in tying staked fish (5.3%). While in Ekenwan majority (58.2%) go for baskets, followed by palm rope in tying staked fish (21.5%), paper carton (13.9%) and jute-bags (6.3%). Commonly Used Packaging Material In Koko and Ekenwan: It was discovered from the study in Koko that 81.6% of the processors commonly used basket as packaging material and 10.59% indicated that their commonly used packaging material was jute-bags. 5.3% and 2.6% also indicated that paper carton and palm rope for tying staked fish respectively were the commonly used packaging material. It was also observed that in Ekenwan 57.0% of the fish processors preferred the use of basket as their packaging material, followed by 15.2% who also used jute-bags and palm rope as their commonly used packaging material, while only 12.7% and 15.2% go for paper carton as their commonly used packaging material as seen in table 3. 190 Aust. J. Basic & Appl. Sci., 5(12): 189-195, 2011 Table 1: Socioeconomic Parameters Of Processors. Koko Ekenwan Frequency Percentages (%) Frequency Percentages (%) Age Distribution <20 1 2.4 2 2.5 20-29 9 22.0 21 26.3 30-39 8 19.5 24 30.0 40-49 13 31.7 21 26.3 >50 10 24.4 12 15.0 Total 41 100 80 100 Sex Male 11 28.9 25 32.9 Females 27 71.7 51 67.1 Total 38 100 76 100 Marital Status Single 10 24.4 15 19.5 Married 29 70.7 54 70.1 Widow 1 2.4 6 7.8 Divorced 1 2.4 2 2.6 Total 41 100 77 100 Level Of Education No.